A safe home is as easy as ABC

Dina SanchezSun-Sentinel staff writer

Whether you're inland or on the coast, you can do a lot to safeguard your home against harmful hurricane winds.

The Florida Alliance for Safe Homes, a nonprofit organization created by a diverse group of partners including insurance companies, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Weather Service and the Institute for Business and Home Safety, says preparing your home is as easy as ABC -- Anchor, Brace and Cover:

Anchor: Bring inside yard items that could become wind-borne. Ask neighbors to do the same.

Replace gravel or rock landscaping with fire-treated and shredded bark.

Make sure the house has wall-to-foundation anchors.

Brace: Bolt all doors with foot and head bolts that extend at least 1 inch into the frame.

Reinforce the garage door and its tracks with center supports.

Brace all gable and framing with horizontal and vertical beams.

Cover: Cover all large windows -- and doors with windows, particularly patio doors -- with shutters. A more expensive option: Replace them with impact-resistant laminated windows and door systems.